It has come to our attention that a phone scamming system has been contacting people in our local community, and when they call the caller ID says Goodwill Industries. Then they continue on to speak about credit card debt.

Please know that this is not related to Goodwill Industries. The phone number reported is 402-341-4628 and is not related to Goodwill Industries, retail stores or mission programs.

Listen in as Work Experience student Noah Wegener and Work Experience Coordinator Sam Comfort talk about Noah’s experience looking for treasures, as well as other employment skills gained while working at Goodwill.

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) – Any picker will tell you, it’s all about the thrill of the search. For Omaha teenager Noah Wegener, who suffers from cerebral palsy, it can be hard to navigate the old barns and crowded shops, but its not slowing him down.

Thanks to the Goodwill work experience program, Wegener has the opportunity to work independently to hone his craft.

He says the program is helping him get a head start to what he wants to do, open his own antique shop or business.

“It’s not like a normal day job, it’s different, it’s unique,” Wegener said. “It’s the research and the hunt, ‘like what am I going to find today in this barn,’ it’s never the same, it’s always like a treasure hunt you could say.”

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On Monday, January 22, 2018, all Goodwill stores located the Omaha metro and surrounding areas will be closing at 7:00 p.m. due to inclement weather. Please stay safe and warm. Thank you for supporting Goodwill!

Stay tuned as this blog post will serve as a platform for detailed information in the occasion that a Goodwill location will be closed or have a delayed start due to inclement weather. We will also post on our social media channels as it happens. Thanks for supporting Goodwill!

Goodwill is proud to administer the YouthBuild Omaha program in partnership with AmeriCorps. YouthBuild supports young adults as they conduct community service while pursuing their GED. Participants engage in construction skills training and have the opportunity to receive various professional certifications as they complete their community service requirements.

Members of this year’s YouthBuild class have being busy working to fulfill their AmeriCorps-required community service hours. Since joining the class this fall, the last few months have presented some opportunities outside the usual construction training volunteer opportunities.
In October several participants helped with Goodwill’s first Halloween Trunk-or-Treat community event. Those who participated did an excellent job of making the guests feel welcome while handing out Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.

In November a group of YouthBuild participants assisted Heartland Hope Mission assembling and distributing Thanksgiving gift baskets. They were directed to gather donated food items from around the facility and prepare the basket. The volunteers were friendly and enjoyed interacting with the clients as they helped them to their vehicles.

Family Housing Advisory hosted various volunteer opportunities throughout December. YouthBuild decorated their Lake Point Center for the annual Christmas in the Village event. Keep Omaha Beautiful provided supplies for participants to clean up the streets before and after the event. They also stuffed envelopes for community members to learn about potential upcoming changes to the tax code.

It has become tradition for YouthBuild to model ugly holiday sweaters on The Morning Blend talk show. Several participants took the opportunity to strut their stuff for the camera. They enjoyed getting a behind-the-scenes look at the news studio and interacting with the hosts on air.

Through these special projects, daily GED classes and construction skills training, participants show professionalism and a dedication to developing themselves while helping their community. The YouthBuild team looks forward to what is to come in 2018!

Goodwill Omaha is proud to participate in the first Washington County Gives! a 24-hour charitable challenge organized by the Blair Area Chamber of Commerce and Blair Area Community Foundation. The online giving event will take place on November 28 starting at midnight.

All funds raised by Goodwill support our Work Experience program in Blair. Goodwill’s Work Experience program provides students in special education services an opportunity to gain exposure to a work situation in a supportive environment. By participating in Work Experience, students can take the first step in making the transition from a school setting to the world of work.

The Work Experience program at Goodwill’s retail store in Blair allows students with disabilities the opportunity to experience aspects of employment. From following a supervisor’s instructions to staying on task, students are gaining valuable skills to assist in the transition from the classroom to employment.

Earlier this month, the Blair Work Experience staff hosted an Open House to invite student’s families, teachers and community members to see what the students have been learning this semester. Blair Work Experience Trainer, Jenny organized an engaging night for both students and guests that included student-led store tours, face painting and craft tables. Students demonstrated the skills they’ve learned through the Work Experience program and guests enjoyed seeing the students in action.

Your support will allow Goodwill to continue to provide these opportunities for students in Washington County. Help us continue to change lives and strengthen our community by giving to Goodwill’s Work Experience program in Blair during Washington County Gives!